Monday, October 14, 2024

Saturday Night

Now into its 50th season, Saturday Night Live is a late night staple for North America and has been the birthplace of some of the most influential comedians: John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Chevy Chase, Gilda Radner, Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Chris Rock, Bill Murray, Adam Sandler, Tina Fey, Will Ferrell, Amy Poehler, Kristen Wiig, Jimmy Fallon, Bill Hader; and the list goes on and on. SNL, arguably one of the most important television shows ever, "Saturday Night" is the story of how Lorne Michaels (Gabriel LaBelle) managed to get the first episode to air (or almost didn't). It's riveting stuff. Jason Reitman's camera zooms and jumps from scene to scene with the manic energy of cocaine and too much pot. Part of the fun is seeing the impressions of the young cast of John Belushi (Matt Wood), Dan Aykroyd (Dylan O'Brien), Chevy Chase (Cory Michael Smith), and Gilda Radner (Ella Hunt). Each actor did such a great job it felt like I was watching the real cast, an incredibly talented bunch of unknowns. How truly gifted these young people were. Reitman gives each of them time to shine while the tornado of the set swirls, the minute hand of the clock spinning towards 11:30, live showtime. Shout out to Nicholas Braun who plays both Andy Kaufman and Jim Henson - Braun is great. It's a nostalgic ride with a whip smart and punchy script.  Catch one of the best films of the year, now in theatres.  

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